People sometimes wonder why such a large railroad depot is located in such a small town. The reason is that Etowah was created by the Louisville & Nashville (L&N) Railroad in 1906 to serve as a planned community for its workers as well as headquarters for the Atlanta Division of the L&N Railroad System. The Depot, a two-story Victorian railroad station, was the first building erected in the town. Downstairs exhibits tell the story of the town and its relationship to the railroad. An upstairs gallery offers changing exhibits. Visitors can look out the upstairs windows and watch trains switching in a still active rail yard. Home to the “Hiwassee River Rail Adventure,” a train excursion ticket office is also located in the building. The front lawn is home to scores of community festivals including the “Old Fashion Fourth of July Celebration.” Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.